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The flood in Chumging river triggered by heavy rainfall swept away four bridges in Upper Mustang on Tuesday.

According to the District Police Office, Mustang, the flood caused damage to a bridge over Chumjung river and an under construction bridge at Samjung.

Similarly, the flood washed away an iron bridge and three wooden bridges, the District Police Office said.

DSP Tsering Kappa Lama of Mustang informed that the families of two houses, who were at high risk of flood, were shifted to a safer place.

According to DSP Lama, though the flood caused damage to the bridges, there was no loss of life and livestock.

He said that a nine-member team under the command of the assistant sub-inspector of the Area Police Office, Choser and the inspector of the Armed Police Force has been deployed in the area to carry out rescue operations.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inspected the flood-hit areas in Rasuwa district. 

During the visit, Prime Minister Oli held discussions with the local administrators, people's representatives and local residents there regarding the losses, rescue and relief.   

So far, 20 people have been reported missing in the disaster including three Nepali Police personnel, five drivers, six workers of the dry port and six Chinese nationals.

Likewise, the plant of the 111 megawatt capacity Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project and the Chilime Hydropower Project of 20 megawatts have suffered damages leading to the suspension of power generation from the two projects. 

The flood in the Lhende river also swept away the Miteri Bridge along the Nepal-China border, disconnecting the cross border connectivity there. 

Prime Minister Oli was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Energy Minister Dipak Khadka, PM's chief advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, chief secretary of government Eaknarayan Aryal, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and chiefs of all four security bodies in the inspection team.

At least 10 people were killed and 34 others reported missing after multiple cloudbursts and flash floods hit Himachal Pradesh within 24 hours, officials said Wednesday.

According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the state witnessed 16 cloudbursts and three flash floods in 24 hours as a result of incessant rains that wreaked havoc and caused widespread devastation. The worst-affected area was Mandi district, about 133 km north of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, The Hindu reported.

Severe rains in Himachal Pradesh caused landslides, damaged infrastructure, blocked roads, and rescued 370 people. Authorities are concerned that the death toll will grow and have initiated large-scale rescue attempts.

Since June 20, monsoon-related incidents have left 51 dead and caused an estimated $33m in damage. An orange alert remains in effect, with heavy rain expected to continue until July 7, according to The Hindu.

At least thirty-four people have died in India’s northeast after days of heavy rain caused severe floods and landslides, with more downpours expected. In Sikkim, over thousand stranded tourists are being evacuated, while rescue operations continue in Meghalaya and Assam, according to Reuters.

In neighboring Bangladesh, a landslide killed four family members in Sylhet. Authorities in both nations have issued warnings and opened emergency shelters as the possibility of more flash floods and landslides grows.

The BP Highway has been closed for eight hours after the flooded Roshi stream swept away diversion on Monday night. 

The diversion at Mapti was eroded by the flooded river, resulting in the complete halt in vehicular movement, according to the District Police Office. 

Efforts are underway to resume the highway, the Office said.

Information Officer at the District Police Office Min Bahadur Ghale said that the road section towards Mangaltar from Roshi Rural Municipality-12 was damaged by the flood. 

The police team and locals have been working together to open the road for one-way traffic. A total of 17 passengers were stranded after the vehicular disruption. They were rescued by the local police.

Diversion was constructed at the place where the BP Highway had suffered severe damages in the last September floods.

Meanwhile, search for a woman missing in the flood since Monday afternoon is underway.  

Renuka Giri (33) of Subbagaon of Panauti Municipality-5 had gone missing at 6 pm Monday. She was swept away by the flooded Dhalmale rivulet while returning home from a festival.

The police had halted the search for the woman after midnight, which resumed early this morning. 

Deputy Superintendent of Police Ghale further informed that a joint team of Nepal Police, Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force was mobilized to search for the missing woman. 

The sudden rainfall in the Panauti Bus Park area had inundated the vicinity.

Landslides and floods resulting from days of monsoon rains have claimed at least 148 lives across Nepal even as rescue teams continue their search for dozens of missing individuals. Authorities reported recovery of bodies from vehicles buried under landslide debris near Kathmandu.

Clearer weather on Sunday allowed rescue teams to intensify search and rescue operations, although Kathmandu remains isolated, with major routes connecting the city with the rest of the country blocked by debris. Rescuers pulled 35 bodies from three buses buried under debris at a landslide site in Dhunibeshi municipality-9 (Dhading district), as workers continued to sift through the wreckage in search of survivors.

According to police, recent disasters have left 86 people injured while at least 59 people caught in disasters remain unaccounted for. The death toll is expected to rise with reports from remote areas, many of which remain cut off due to flooding and landslides, still awaited.

In southern Kathmandu, floodwaters have started to recede, allowing residents to clean their homes. The Kathmandu Valley has suffered significant losses, with at least 68 lives lost.

Rescue efforts have been bolstered by the involvement of both police and military personnel, who are using heavy machinery to clear the debris from roads and residential areas. In response to the widespread destruction, the government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges across Nepal for three days.

The annual monsoon, which enters Nepal in June and withdraws by mid-September (generally), often leads to destructive flooding and landslides, exacerbating the country’s challenges in coping with the natural disasters that frequently accompany the rainy season.

The Kathmandu Valley faced a devastating natural disaster over the weekend as an unprecedented 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) of rain fell within 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning—the heaviest rainfall recorded since at least 1970.

Flood-affected residents, most of them living near river banks, began returning to their mud-caked on Sunday to assess the damage. Rain-swollen rivers in Kathmandu Valley breached banks and several settlements, causing significant damage to properties. Many neighborhoods were waterlogged, requiring security personnel to conduct emergency rescue operations.  

Heavy rainfall has also damaged the roads and highways leading to the Kathmandu Valley isolating Kathmandu from the rest of Nepal. Over 3,000 personnel are involved in rescue efforts, utilizing bulldozers to clear debris-laden roads. Rafts and helicopters have been deployed to assist rescue teams to reach stranded survivors.

By Sunday morning, domestic flights resumed after severe weather conditions halted all air traffic from Friday evening, resulting in more than 150 flight cancellations. The situation remains critical as authorities continue their search for missing persons and work to provide relief to those affected by the catastrophic floods and landslides.

Rs 2.45bn loss in energy sector

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation has reported significant damage to the energy sector, estimating losses at around Rs 2.45bn due to recent floods and landslides. Energy Minister Deepak Khadka stated that floods and landslides have resulted in the suspension of 1,100 MW of electricity production. In addition to losses in power generation, damages to irrigation infrastructure are estimated at Rs 1.35bn. Kulman Ghising, the executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, confirmed that the Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has been shut down for three days. He warned that if the project remains closed for an extended period, it could lead to issues in load management.

Beyond the Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, damage has been reported in other critical areas, including two towers in the Kabeli Corridor. Furthermore, 200 MW of power production has been disrupted after the Tamakoshi River swept away the Khimti Tower, which is crucial for transmitting electricity to Kathmandu. The Ministry of Energy highlighted that an additional tower responsible for transmitting 800 MW of electricity in Tamakoshi is currently at risk.

Fifteen under-construction projects, collectively with a capacity of 1,000 MW, have also suffered significant damage. 

Young footballers killed

In a tragic incident, six teenage footballers lost their lives in a landslide in Sisneri, Indrasarowar Rural Municipality-3, while returning from training at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Academy. The players, students of Shree Batsala Devi Secondary School, were caught in the landslide on Saturday.

Their bodies were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu by an army helicopter. The grieving families of the deceased are demanding clear information and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their death. They have stated they will not accept the bodies until they receive satisfactory answers from ANFA.

Koshi records second-biggest flood

The Saptakoshi region experienced its second-largest flood since the construction of the Koshi Barrage in 1962, with water flow reaching a staggering 661,005 cusecs on Sunday morning. This follows the record flood of 788,200 cusecs recorded on 5 Oct 1968.

As the water levels surged, authorities opened all 56 gates of the barrage to mitigate the risk of further flooding. By Sunday afternoon, the water began to recede, providing some relief to the area. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, assessing the risks from high water levels.

Similarly, the dam gates of the Kulekhani Reservoir were briefly opened on Saturday morning after the reservoir exceeded its danger mark of 1,530 meters. The gates were closed after 12 hours when the water level decreased to 1,525meters.

All three hydropower projects at Kulekhani—Kulekhani 1, 2, and 3—are now operating at full capacity, generating a total of 106 MW of electricity. 

Nepali Army Lt Col dies

Lieutenant Colonel Milan KC of the Nepali Army lost his life in a landslide while attempting to rescue one of his friends in Sindhupalchok. According to Brigadier General Gaurav KC, spokesperson for the Army, Lt Col KC, who was stationed at the Nepali Military Academy in Kharipati, was visiting the area with friends.

The group was staying at the Sindhu Beach Resort in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-4 when the landslide struck. Lt Col KC was reportedly trying to rescue a Korean friend when he got trapped in the debris. The condition of the Korean citizen remains unknown.

25 rescued from Sri Lanka island

A rescue operation successfully evacuated 25 people stranded on Sri Lanka Island in Barahakshetra Municipality-6, following flooding from the Saptakoshi River. The stranded individuals, mainly farmers tending to buffaloes, had been trapped since Friday due to rising water levels that rendered the area inaccessible.

Rescue efforts began on Saturday morning after the water flow in the Koshi River decreased. The stranded individuals were safely evacuated by boat, marking a successful end to the operation.

Over 161 people rescued via air

More than 161 people were successfully rescued by Nepali Army helicopters over the weekend, as swiftly moving flood waters hampered ground rescue operations. In Kavre alone, 83 individuals were evacuated and relocated to safety. Three helicopters were deployed for rescue efforts in the region.

The Army, at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been conducting air rescues to assist citizens at risk due to recent disasters. Similarly, 13 people were rescued in the Kathmandu Valley, 33 in Sindhuli, and 32 in Makwanpur.

All-party meeting prioritizes rescue efforts

An all-party meeting held on Sunday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singhadurbar concluded with a commitment to prioritize search and rescue operations for victims of recent floods and landslides. The meeting emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among political parties, all levels of government, and the private sector in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation initiatives.

Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that the meeting called upon the private sector, citizens, and organizations to contribute to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. The decision was made to facilitate the safe evacuation of stranded travelers affected by the disasters, with collaboration from the District Disaster Management Committee, the District Transport Association, and security personnel.

Additionally, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply will work with the private sector to ensure the provision of essential goods, including food, vegetables, fruits, and gas, at affordable prices. The meeting also agreed to assess the damage to infrastructure and the agricultural sector caused by the floods, including bridges, roads, schools, health posts, and electrical structures, to initiate necessary reconstruction efforts.

Leaders from various parties stressed the importance of continuing relief efforts in the aftermath of the disaster. Furthermore, the Ministry of Urban Development, in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, will work on housing solutions for victims who lost their homes due to the floods and landslides.

The Madi-Thori road section in Chitwan has been obstructed due to the flood caused by the swollen Ghangharkhola rivulet following incessant rain since last night.

Vehicular movement along the road section has come to a grinding halt due to this, said Police Inspector Kedar Man Dong of the Area Police Office Madi.

Inspector Dong said that vehicles can operate only when the rain stops. Vehicles going to various destinations are stranded, it has been said.

"Bridges are being constructed over the Ghanghar, Bagai and Magui Khola rivulets along the Madi-Thori road," said Tara Kumari Kaji Mahato, Mayor of Madi Municipality.

She said they have requested the Hulaki Road Project Office to promptly complete the bridge construction. Construction of a bridge over the Patarekhola has not yet started, Mayor Mahato said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the government has prioritized the rebuilding of flood-damaged Kagbeni settlement in Mustang.

During his inspection to the flood-ravaged Kagbeni settlement at Varagung Muktichhetrai Rural Municipality-4 in Mustang today, the Deputy Prime minister pledged to undertake the reconstruction efforts targeting the village with high priority.   The settlement experienced significant damages from the flooded Kaagkhola stream on August 13.

Moreover, according to the Minister, the government will seek ways to minimize risks from the water-induced depositions on the bank of Kaligandaki River.

He said that the matter about operating the Korola checkpoint along the Nepal-China border will be an agenda of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's upcoming visit to the northern neighbor.

In addition to this, the government is working on possibilities to ensure uninterrupted transport service along the Beni-Jomsom-Korola road. He also assured of convening the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, and drinking water, electricity and irrigation projects promptly.

On the occasion, the Minister had held discussions with the local government, administration and security bodies about the post-disaster situation at Kagbeni.

The flood damaged roadways, motorable bridges, monasteries, temples, community buildings, police posts, hotels and river embankments.

Properties worth over Rs one billion were destroyed in the flood.

Over 50 houses were significantly damaged by the flood, resulting in property losses exceeding Rs 520 million, according to the local government.

Vehicular movement along the Melamchi-Helambu road section in Sindhupalchowk has been obstructed due to the flood triggered by incessant rainfall in Melamchi river.

The flood in Melamchi river has blocked road section.

Efforts of Helambu Rural Municipality to clear the obstruction could not yield result due to continuous rainfall.

Local resident Shyam Chalise said that the flood has blocked the road at Simkhet in Melamchi as well.

The municipality has said that the workers are facing hardships to resume the road after the continuous rain.

Likewise, the flood has washed away the toilets of Saraswoti Secondary School at Helambu-4 and the classrooms are at high risk of flooding, Apsari Lamichhane, Vice-Chairperson of Helambu Rural Municipality said.

Currently, the school is working to shift the academic materials and furniture.

According to Lamichhane, the school and Galthyum bazaar are also at risk of flooding.

Heavy rainfall since Monday has triggered a series of floods and landslides in different parts of the country. 

Many streams and rivers surpassed their critical thresholds, breaching their banks and submerging nearby settlements, while there were also reports of highway landslides disrupting the vehicular movement. 

The Weather Forecasting Division attributed the heavy rainfall to the monsoon wind patterns and a low-pressure system near Bihar, India. Authorities have issued alert warnings for those settlements situated close to streams and rivers.  

Several riverside settlements in Kathmandu Valley were submerged as a result of overnight downpour. People were seen salvaging their goods and draining out flood waters from their homes on Tuesday morning.  

A landslide on the Kali river obstructed the crucial Narayangadh-Muglin highway in Ichhakamana Rural Municipality-6, Chitwan. The two-way traffic movement along the highway was halted due to the landslide, stranding hundreds of vehicles and passengers. However, traffic in both directions resumed later.

A section of Prithvi Highway, between Damauli and Dumre in Tanahun, also collapsed as a result of incessant rainfall. Floods and landslides have also significantly impacted other major highways, including the Banepa-Sindhuli-Bardibas section of BP Highway, the Hetauda-Sindhuli-Gaighat-Chatara segment of Madan Bhandari Highway, and the Khurkot-Ghurmi stretch of Pushpa Lal Highway.

In another incident, a landslide struck a house at Sigre of Bagmati Rural Municipality-5 in Makwanpur, in which one person was killed and six others, including three children, were unaccounted for.The deceased was identified as 55-year-old Shanta Maya Syangtan. At the time of writing, a team deployed by the District Police Office, Makwanpur, was still searching for the missing people.

Also, a person from Dhanusha and another individual from Rautahat lost their lives due to drowning in the swollen river.

In Shuklaphanta Municipality-7, Kanchanpur, security personnel rescued two women who were stranded in the floodwaters of the Kalapani stream. The two women were tending to their cattle when they were caught in a flash flood caused by the torrential rainfall upstream.  

The rainfall overnight has also caused significant damage to crops in different parts of the country. 

The flooded Doda stream wreaked havoc on paddy and sugarcane fields in Tilaki of Kanchanpur district. As many as 24 farmers lost their valuable crops.

In Kailali, the rain-swollen Godawari stream damaged temples and shrines in the Godawaridham area. A quick response from security personnel and local youths prevented potential casualties by rescuing those who were trapped in the flood waters. As the flood receded, there was debris scattered everywhere.

Around 40 people have died and nearly as many are missing in monsoon-related disasters this year, according to officials at the Home Ministry. According to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal of Nepal government, over 4,000 families have been affected by floods and landslides in the past one year, killing 101 people. Sixty-four people are still missing.

Monsoon in Nepal typically starts in mid-June and ends in September. Casualties, highway obstructions and property damage are common occurrences during this period. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the security agencies  to remain on high alert to respond to potential monsoon-related disasters.

People have been compelled to live in the darkness for the past two weeks due to disruption of power supply in Mugu district.

Twenty-six thousand members of 5,000 households, government offices and other organizations of Chhayanath Rara municipality in the district have been affected due to disruption of power supply after the flood damaged Gamgadh Micro Hydropower Project on July 12.

A total of 87 settlements in Gamgadhi, the district headquarters of Mugu, as well as its surrounding areas are living in darkness. The locals are hugely affected due to power disrupting for a long time.

Problems have surfaced in service delivery of government offices as well as banks and financial institutions due to the same, said Assistant Manager of Rastriya Banijya Bank, Mugu, Prakash Bham.

Although efforts were made time and again to remove silts and mud, brought by the flood, from the intake of the powerhouse of the project, went in vain, said a technician of the project, Tshering Lama.